The state of emergency was imposed on 14 August amid clashes that followed the bloody dispersal of two sit-ins of supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi in Cairo, which left more than 600 dead and over 40 officers killed.

The presidency declared in a statement that the measure was in response to "assaults on public and private property as well as killings by extremist groups."

Egypt has been under the grip of nationwide violence and turmoil since 14 August.

More than 40 churches have been burnt or looted by alleged Morsi sympathisers.

Meanwhile, North Sinai governorate has been the stage of violent confrontation between Egyptian security forces and suspected jihadist groups, with dozens killed from both sides.

On 3 September, Mansour said in a televised interview that he did not expect to extend the state of emergency if security conditions improve.

However, on 5 September, interior minister Mohamed Ibrahim survived an assassination attempt when a bomb exploded near his convoy in east Cairo, leaving two dead and dozens of policemen and civilians injured.

Ansar Bayt Al-Maqdis, a jihadist group based in the Sinai, recently claimed responsibility for the assassination attempt and blamed the minister for the killings of hundreds of Islamist supporters.

Meanwhile, the government has repeatedly said that despite political instability it will abide by its roadmap for political transition which was issued on 3 July in the aftermath of the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

The roadmap entails public referendum on constitutional amendments in less than two month from now followed by presidential and parliamentary elections.

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5

J.M.Jordan

13-09-2013 08:48am

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Isn't it possible to include in the, as I understand actual discussions with MB representatives of importance

that if the MB wants to be eligible it should first prove that it really prioritizes the own country's interests by no longer issuing calls to take to the streets for a re-instatement that anyway'll never happen. So the curfew with its materially hurting effects on the country could probably be lifted in most places? I don't know of any democracy where even totally peaceful protests are tolerated longer than 3 months?
However, Sinai of course is still quite another thing.

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abdulrahman

16-09-2013 08:40am

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2+

Double Standard Mentality - Dictator's Thinking

What do you have to say when there were demonstrations for 365 days for a year against Morsi's rule in Cairo. What have you got to say to the inaction by Morsi's administration against them. Let us not be bigots.

4

Kevin

12-09-2013 09:10pm

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State of emergency here to stay permanently....

From 2 month extension it will go to 6 month extension and then will remain forever. Just as detention of President Morsi and MB leaders and supporters are forever being extended. Egyptians have been duped!!! Egypt is now under full military rule and brutal police state. Democracy has gone forever!!! Wake up Egyptians!!!

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3

Tahsin

12-09-2013 07:50pm

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...wait 40 or 50 years until the state of emergency is lifted

You can't have fascism without Emergency laws. It will be extended for 40 years if Sisi and cohorts remain in power.

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2

abdulrahman

12-09-2013 07:22pm

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7+

Counter Coup Making

There is good reason to believe that generals under el Sisi would soon launch a counter coup as the situation in Egypt continues to deteriorate. Only a counter coup can bring all the political forces together.

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1

Paul Wilson

12-09-2013 06:34pm

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The observer

Let’s see:
People arrested for opposing the government with an indefinite length of time on questionable charges, Check.
Civilians murdered in the street and no one in the government is held accountable, Check.
Journalists murdered and the witnesses are charged with a crime against the state, Check.
Media outlets banned for reporting the truth, Check.
Political parties outlawed for not agreeing with government propaganda, Check.
Foreign broadcasts into the country blocked and jammed, Check.
Unelected and unknown individuals write a new constitution with no public oversight, Check.
Martial law extended continually, Check.
Bottom line: Democracy is officially dead in Egypt. Long live the dictatorship!
P.S. Please check your human rights at the door before you enter Egypt.